MOSCOW, Idaho — Temperatures dipped into the 20s last night, but Dominic Waters was still able to heat up for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team.

Waters had career-highs of 18 points and five assists, although it came in a heartbreaking 76-75 loss to Idaho.

"I just wanted to be more aggressive, come in and hit some shots and get everybody going," said Waters, a 6-foot-1 sophomore point guard. "I felt like we did get it going offensively, but we just didn't finish down the stretch."

Hawai'i blew a nine-point lead in the second half, and lost it on Clyde Johnson's buzzer-beating 3-pointer.

Hawai'i head coach Riley Wallace chastised the Rainbow Warriors' defense, especially from the guards. Waters agreed.

"It was all defense that cost us, and I accept my share of the responsibility," Waters said.

Waters said he was not satisfied with the defense he played on Idaho guard Keoni Watson, who scored 16 points. Watson, who entered the game averaging 17.3 points per game, shot just 5 of 19 from the field, although his 3-pointer over Waters tied the score at 73 with 11.5 seconds remaining.

"I thought I held him pretty well early, but he ends up with 16, and he hit that 3 in my face," Waters said. "So I can't be happy with my performance tonight, no matter what kind of numbers I put up."

However, it was Waters' offense that brought the 'Bows back from an early deficit. He also nearly won the game by making two free throws with 8.7 seconds remaining.

Hawai'i fell behind 7-0 to open the game, prompting Wallace to summon Waters off the bench in place of starter Matt Gibson.

Waters responded by scoring 14 points in the first half, including three 3-pointers.

"That's why he stayed in there," Wallace said. "He was orchestrating the offense, getting us into what ever we wanted to do."

Waters finished the game by shooting 4 of 7 from the field, including 3 of 4 from 3-point range. He also went 7 of 7 from the free-throw line.

"When (Idaho) zoned us, we hit shots from the outside," Waters said. "Then when they went (man-to-man), we got what we wanted down low. That's what makes it frustrating."

After Watson made his 3-pointer to tie the score late in the game, Idaho's David Jackson mistakenly fouled Waters intentionally with 8.7 seconds remaining.

Waters calmly drained both free throws to give the 'Bows a 75-73 lead.

"I thought it was over," he said. "I'm angry. I'm upset the way it turned out. But it's over. We have to stay positive because we still have a lot of games left and that means there's always a chance to turn this around."

Wrong guy, right time

Clyde Johnson made the game-winning 3-pointer for Idaho, but he was not the first option, according to head coach George Pfeifer.

In the timeout prior to the final possession, Pfeifer said he designed a play for Keoni Watson.

Freshman point guard O.J. Avworo drove the length of the court and found Johnson all alone near the top of the key.

"He wasn't a freshman in that moment," Pfeifer said. "He saw the open guy and (Johnson) stepped up."

Next stop: Boise

The 'Bows are scheduled to depart Moscow today for Boise, Idaho.

Hawai'i will play another WAC road game at Boise State tomorrow. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. (Hawai'i time).

Boise State also lost a heartbreaker on the road last night, 80-79 at Utah State.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.